Wednesday، 05 September 2018 - 11:55 AM

Your Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China,

Your Excellencies and Highness, Heads of State and Government,

Distinguished Delegates,

Allow me at the outset to express my sincere thanks and deep gratitude to His Excellency President Xi Jinping and the friendly people of China for their warm reception and hospitality during hosting this outstanding summit. I would also like to extend my deep appreciation and gratitude to H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa for the tireless efforts exerted over the past years during its co-presidency of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to cement the Chinese-African partnership, thus rendering this Forum a major milestone and an outstanding embodiment of one of the most important strategic African partnerships.

Mr President,

Undoubtedly, Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has been rendered an example worthy of emulation of constructive cooperation among the developing countries and an effective mechanism of strengthening multilateral African cooperation frameworks. Today, we reviewed the remarkable successes achieved so far as regards the implementation of the joint action plan adopted by Johannesburg Summit that forged the prospects for joint cooperation during the period (2016-2018). Today, we are about to endorse a new ambitious action plan for the coming three years that addresses different development areas in the pursuit of realizing the aspirations of our peoples, who yearn to live in dignity, stability and prosperity. This can be attained by creating a climate conducive to sustainable development and facing up the challenges of the era, relying on packages of creative solutions that are compatible with the current realities on the ground, with the potentials of our peoples and human resources in our countries. Such solutions rely on the adoption of an approach that links China’s “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) with Africa’s Development Agenda 2063; a constructive approach that combines between both parties’ growth capabilities on one hand, and stands as a crystal clear evidence of the unity of purpose and the reciprocal trust between both the African and Chinese sides on the other hand.

Your Excellencies and Highness Heads of State and Government,

Egypt has taken a consistent interest in enhancing coordination and cooperation among the developing countries to ensure that its viewpoints are always on the table in the international arena on one hand and its political, economic and social interests are completely safeguarded on the other. During its incumbent presidency of the G-77 and China, Egypt’s efforts stand as the best illustration of its will and determination to enhance cooperation among the developing countries, thus creating a more just world where everyone has an access to a fair share of development and decent life. In the years ahead, Egypt will spare no effort to develop and enhance South-South cooperation frameworks and trilateral cooperation platforms for achieving the best interests of the African and developing countries.

The importance of the African-Chinese partnership, which has been succeeded figures high in coordinating the stances of the developing countries on the international arena in various pivotal files, such as entrenching the principle of the national ownership of the development programs within the framework of the negotiations on reforming the U.N development finance system, not to mention China's unwavering support for the African unified position as regards reforming the Security Council according to the “Ezulwini” consensus and the outcomes of the “Sirte” Summit, and removing the historical injustice imposed on the African states.

Realizing sustainable development, providing further job opportunities to the African peoples, upgrading the continental infrastructure, promoting freedom of trade within the framework of the African Free Trade Agreement, developing and diversification of the African economic system and enhancing the industrial system are all main elements among the priorities of the agenda of the Egyptian presidency of the African Union in 2019, because it became clear that development and innovation are the strongest weapon to counter most of the contemporary political, economic and social challenges such as terrorism, extremism, organized crime, poverty, illness, in addition to the economic and trade protectionism.

Mr. President,

Your Excellencies,

Egypt assures the importance to work continuously on enhancing and activating the African- Chinese partnership for its effectiveness and credibility. Furthermore, it is based on mutual interests and co-benefits. Egypt will be fully careful in the coming period to intensify cooperation and coordination with the forums’ co-presidency to activate the 2019-2022 work plan of cooperation between Africa and China.

Moreover, Egypt believes in the importance of integration among the various development initiatives, in particular the “Belt and Road” Initiative, as well as the agenda of development and modernization of Africa 2063. In this context, Egypt presents the Economic Zone of the Suez Canal for the world as a logistic and economic centre that effectively contributes to the international navigation traffic, enhances the freedom of world trade and opens vast investment horizons in the fields of transport, energy, infrastructure and trade services to make the Suez Canal Corridor a trade, economic and humanitarian link that integrates with the “Belt and Road” Initiative and connects it with Africa.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, I would like to appreciate China’s orientation under your Excellency’s leadership towards enhancing cooperation and consultation with Africa, relying on a positive and honest approach, based on cementing the common features to strengthen the ties between our peoples, achieve a real sustainable development and meet the requests of the African peoples within a framework of common interest and respect of sovereignty and capabilities of the states.

In this respect, I would like to reiterate my thanks to the sisterly Republic of South Africa and my brother President Ramaphosa for his genuine efforts throughout the presidency of South Africa of FOCAC last year. I, also, would like to congratulate my brother His Excellency President Macky Sall as Senegal has assumed the co-presidency of the Forum for the coming three years. I am fully sure that Senegal is able to pursue the path of the co-presidency of the Forum in achieving the aspired goals.

Last but not least, Egypt will always be a supporter to the international cooperation efforts and will always be open to maximize the benefits from its various frames in order to achieve the sustainable development in a way that meets aspirations of the Egyptian people and all the other brotherly and friendly peoples.